Noble-gas-induced broadening of transitions to Rydberg S and D states in atomic sodium
We have made comprehensive measurements of the noble-gas-induced (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) broadening cross sections of the Na 3S-nS (3S-nD) transitions, from n=5 to 38 (n=4 to 40). These measurements were made using the trilevel-echo technique and are an extension and refinement of our earlier work. We find that the cross sections increase as the geometric cross section at low values of n, and then, at a value of n which depends on the particular noble gas, begin to decrease and eventually reach an asymptotic value at high n. The broadening cross sections for the nearly degenerate D states are significantly larger than those for the S states and clearly show the effect of l-changing collisions. We also compare our measured S-state broadening cross sections with the cross sections calculated using the theory of Omont and find good qualitative agreement.
- Research Organization:
- Columbia Radiation Laboratory, Department of Physics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
- OSTI ID:
- 5481265
- Journal Information:
- Phys. Rev., A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., A; (United States) Vol. 21:4; ISSN PLRAA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Collision Phenomena
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
ARGON
ATOM COLLISIONS
ATOM-ATOM COLLISIONS
COLLISIONS
CROSS SECTIONS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
FLUIDS
HELIUM
KRYPTON
LINE BROADENING
METALS
NEON
NONMETALS
RARE GASES
SODIUM
XENON